Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Ursa and Jo both have some form of duality within themselves: the version before the trauma and the version after. How does recovering from trauma help them feel like whole people again? In what ways are their traumatic events similar? Consider how both characters view their bodies.

The reality of Ursa’s true origin is left open to interpretation. Do you think Ursa might have come from the stars? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

One key component of the story is the bond that forms between Gabe and Jo. How does their relationship help them heal from their respective illnesses?